The Thing About Illuminations' The Grinch...

Keeping up with the Christmas theme, of course we've gotta cover an iconic Christmas narrative with Dr Seuss' The Grinch That Stole Christmas. Just.. this is the 2018 version with Benedict Cumberbatch and Illumination Studios. Was it worth it? Was it good? What even happened? Let's discuss it all and more. This is The Thing About Illuminations' The Grinch...

#DazzReviews #TheGrinch #THINGSeries #Illumination #TheGrinch2018 #IlluminationGrinch #christmas #review #VideoEssay #BenedictCumberbatch

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... Hm. And to think I avoided this movie a year ago due to good reviews. It's not Illuminations' worst, but it's certainly middle of the road...

[michaelstrong]

Say what you will about Jim Carrey's version of the Grinch, but at least that movie understood that he needed to be his most "Grinchiness" so that his turnaround at the end felt earned. Not like Illumination's interpretation where he's basically Gru from the Despicable Me movies, but green.

[Galaxy_andtheVoid]

i think it wouldve been interesting for them to use the plot point they (accidentally?) made. the original is more on the fact that christmas isnt bought from a store, but the illumination version almost seemed like they went towards the narrative of the grinch's depression. and i think that would have been cool, except for the fact that again, it (might have been) an accident, so it was poorly written that way.

edit: i just need to say this, illumination was not trying to be better than jim carrey. and they were not trying to remake him. they made their own grinch who was more quiet and introverted and not wanting to get involved in anything because he doesnt like people. of course jim carrey’s performance was great, but thats not what illumination was trying to do

[huntercool]

The thing about this movie is that the Grinch didn’t feel like the Grinch. He didn’t have the same charm as the original and was overall not “Grinchy” enough if that makes sense. He wasn’t rotten and mischievous like the Grinch we know, instead he was just sad and depressed. Overall he was just a Green hairy version of Gru 💀💀

[foursidekm]

It's absolutely crazy that cumberbatch didn't just use his regular voice for this role. It fits the grinch way more

[Mr.StopMotion]

I remember watching this and afterwards just thinking “dang…..jim carry would be disappointed”

[saratoner]

I actually really like this version of the Grinch. I was actually quite averse to even watching this version at first but it was on so I watched it one day. Mind you I also really like the Jim Carey version but I think for younger kids that version is terrifying. This Grinch is made for younger kids (2 and older) and it does well in getting the original point across. They both do different things with the narrative which makes them feel different. Cumberbatch's version has Mary Lou trying to help her single mom and Carey's version has the Grinch's backstory and Mary Lou's disillusionment with Christmas at the forefront. These are both good movies made with different people in mind and they all have their time and place.

[ShadowLinkxMaster]

I've honestly enjoyed this movie when I saw it in theaters. It's one of Illumination's least offensive movies in terms of their usual pacing and standards of humor. Not to mention a lot of heart was thrown in, it's one of those movies that just makes you feel good by the end.

That is, of course, if you're not too busy trying to compare it to previous adaptations, and this is where I see 'some' value with the film. I feel it wasn't meant to compete with Karloff's or Carrey's performances. It wanted to stand up on it's own, rather than trying to match Carrey's hilarious, and clever improv, or Karloff's surly, bitter demeanor.

I never like comparing the three adaptations because each tackled it in their own special way. This film really didn't deserve all the hate it got, especially when the comparisons were what it was trying to avoid.

[lana_del_slay_]

I watch this movie every year so it’s kinda like a tradition in my house to watch the grinch at least one time at Christmas. And yes, this is my favourite Christmas movie of all time

[Gabriel-doodle]

The main thing that I don’t like about The Grinch is, well, the Grinch. It is the design I don’t like. It could be his eyes are not red or yellow. Perhaps his smile is too soft. But I believe it is that he is too well kept!
Like so many of Dr. Seuss’s designs, he is entirely covered in fur down to the pads of his feet. The Jim Carry version took that to their advantage by making him look like he hasn’t bathed since he got up on that mountain. The hair on his fingers go to a point like long nails.
Meanwhile, the Hanna Barbera design is all so crooked, no part of his body is symmetrical. They let ugliness be on his face. There is a reason why that wrinkly smile is so iconic. The wrinkles of that smile perfect the design.
Now that Illuminations showed their version. Now we know that his design is more than his green fur, perhaps it is a little bit more.

[dabatman]

I just realized that Max is literally a reskin of the dog from Secret life of pets

[sqweegee]

I do have one correction for the music section, the tracks ‘a wonderful awful idea’ and ‘stealing christmas’ are instrumentals by Danny Elfman, they’re just the only background tracks included in the album because they were in important scenes I guess

[gilbertgreen]

I personally love this version of the Grinch more than all the others because it shows the process of how he stole Christmas. Also how his change of heart feels more real and understandable.

[DerekHolmes]

What you've missed is that the Illumination version has the Who's always being nice to the Grinch. It makes a much more wholesome story that I personally enjoy more.
This changes the narrative from The Grinch is different from others and therefore hates Christmas, to The Grinch was an orphan who lacked a family and therefore hated Christmas due to loneliness.
At least that is my quick summary of why I prefer the Illumination version.

[midoriyasallmightonesie]

My favorite part was when the Grinch said ‘it’s grinchin’ time’ and proceeded to grinch all over the place

[texpelt]

The two things I actually gave Illumination was 1) The Cindy Who Side Story & 2) Grinch actually has a friend who's a Who.

Cindy wanting a gift to help her single mom of 3 kids is very relatable. As well tbe Grinch having a friend brings on the thought process of "What happens when it's Spring, Summer & Fall?"

My major complaint was Grinch's "reason" for not liking Christmas. The OG was "it's loud & annoying". Jim Carreys "Childhood Trauma". Illumination "did not get adopted 1 year" ... so did he eventually get adopted? Was he so mad he ran away? It was an answer, but it felt very "fill the checkbox, but give no further explanation"

[thehahvokexperience]

This movie is one of my top 5 favorite Christmas movies

[wthrz]

Y'all knew it as the new Grinch who stole Christmas.

We knew it as "The Grinch who stole Smash Bros."

[rhysburns]

One of the illumination movies that I actually think is okay

[jaygee]

Why does everyone keep saying that making the bulk of the Grinch's dislike of Christmas come from childhood trauma is such an original and inspired idea? The live action movie literally did the same thing. Did we all forget the scene from at school where he's mocked right before he runs away to Mt. Crumpit? It totally piggy-backed it! This adaptation is fine, however, it isn't a groundbreaking take.

[Sara-Eevtea]

The original freaked me out my whole life, I like it now. I like illumination's bc its cute and my toddler likes it.